Key Verse: "All this I have told you so that you will not go
astray."
John 16:1
When the great prophet Elijah called out the prophet Elisha to be his
assistant in ministry, he symbolized the call by throwing his cloak over
Elisha's shoulders. (1 Kings 19:19-21) When Elijah knew that he would be called
home, he warned Elisha to pay attention and, if Elisha saw Elijah's departure,
his request would be answered that he would receive a double portion of the
Holy Spirit that had guided Elijah. Sure enough, Elisha paid attention, saw
Elijah depart in the fiery chariot and stooped to pick up the cloak that fell
from Elijah's shoulders as he departed. (2
Kings 2:9-14)
Here, we see Jesus doing something similar, throwing His cloak of
ministry over the shoulders of His disciples. These men have seen Jesus face
opposition. Now, Jesus is letting them know that their turn will come soon to
pick up His mantel and carry on His ministry. He has already promised that the
Holy Spirit will be with them, but He has also let them know that it doesn't
mean that their call will be an easy one. After all, if they follow Him, this
world is no longer be their home. They are in enemy territory.
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first."
(John 15:18) Hate seems like such a strong word in today's vocabulary of
political correctness. Yet, it is a fitting word, whether we choose to admit it
or not. Satan hates Jesus and the people of this world do too, when they learn
what Jesus is really all about. As we shall see, the world wanted Jesus dead
and gone. Can there be any stronger hatred than that? In the same way, they hate us if we are
faithful Christians. But we don’t hate
them because we are no longer of this world.
God equips us to love our enemies.
From time to time, during this journey, we have seen Jesus trying to
prepare the disciples for His death with dismal results. They couldn't
understand what He was saying. If He was Messiah, how could this be?
Also, just as we do not overwhelm children with information before they
are mature enough to handle it, Jesus has waited until now to try to prepare
them with the knowledge that they will soon follow in His footsteps. Ready or
not, as His chosen friends, His ministry will be the course of their lives. If
they remember His words, they will know that what they will experience is how
it should be. They have been warned. Jesus knows the course. If they continue
trusting in Him they will not lose the path.
In fact, we see some of the fulfillment of Jesus’ words soon after the
church is born. The death of Stephen
with the approval of Saul is the first installment. (Acts
7:54-60) As events unfold, as Jesus warned they would, the disciples will
gain confidence in His message.
Tonight, however, there is simply confusion. The men have enjoyed the
traditional Seder with their beloved teacher. They are content and drowsy from
the day. There will be time for His words to sink in, but not now.
"Remember the words I spoke to you, "No servant is greater than
his master." If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they
obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way
because of My name, for they do not know the one who sent Me." (John
15:20-21) Remember, they don't see Him, they see you.
Hymn: "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me"
Comments
Post a Comment